In Response to Forced Replacement Criticism:
"The Public Will Understand Once the Election Is in Full Swing"
On May 10, former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo's camp claimed that the disqualification of Kim Moonsu, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, by the party leadership and Han's subsequent joining of the party was part of the "unification process."
At a press briefing held at the Yeouido campaign office in Seoul on the same day, Lee Junghyun, spokesperson for Han's camp, responded to a reporter's question, "Since Kim did not agree to unification, shouldn't Han refrain from registering as a candidate?" by stating, "There is nothing wrong with saying that if unification does not happen, we will not register. That remains true."
Lee further explained, "In order to achieve unification, the confirmed candidate must give up their vested interests, and the act of relinquishing those interests itself is seen as a candidate replacement. So, it should be understood that the unification process is currently underway." Previously, on May 7, Han had declared during his first unification negotiation with Kim that "if unification is not achieved, I will not register as the official presidential candidate."
When asked whether the party leadership's decision to disqualify Kim as a presidential candidate and replace him with Han constituted part of the unification process, Lee replied, "Yes."
Regarding criticism that this amounted to a forced candidate replacement, Lee defended the party leadership, saying, "Dragging out the process could have resulted in a situation where nothing was achieved, so it was inevitable. Once the election is in full swing, I believe the public, who has witnessed the entire process, will understand."
Addressing internal party backlash, Lee argued, "If Kim had shown a proactive willingness to pursue unification, yesterday's regrettable events would not have occurred, and things would have proceeded smoothly. While it was not an ideal situation, it was unavoidable and there was no other option." He added, "We accept the process, including the full party member opinion poll, with a heavy heart and are prepared to accept the results."
Regarding the previous day's failed negotiations between Kim's and Han's camps over the method of conducting a unification poll, Lee stated, "Allowing Democratic Party supporters to participate in selecting our presidential candidate and enabling them to choose a candidate favorable to them is not an acceptable condition. This is a war." Kim's camp maintains that "it is fundamentally wrong to ask about party support during unification negotiations between the People Power Party's presidential candidate and an independent candidate."
Lee also criticized Kim's camp's position, stating, "How can officially granting the Democratic Party the opportunity to select our (People Power Party's) weaker candidate be considered a condition or subject for compromise?" When asked whether all campaign staff would join the party following Han's entry, Lee responded, "Of course, that is what should be done."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
